Tom Waters

The Saxophonist Everyone Is Talking About

At twenty-five, Tom Waters has already lived several musical lifetimes. His story begins not in a classroom, but on a stage — at the age of thirteen, he left school to tour the world alongside his father, the acclaimed pianist Ben Waters. What followed was one of the most extraordinary apprenticeships in contemporary music: nine hundred performances across fifty-two countries in just three years.

Those formative years took Tom far beyond the circuit of any conventional music education. He performed with the Southern Comfort Brass Band in Chicago, absorbed the jazz vernacular of Keito Siato in Tokyo, and worked with the critically acclaimed Broken Social Scene in British Columbia. By sixteen, his technique, ear and musicianship had been forged in fire that most professionals never experience in a career.

On his return to England, the Purcell School of Music — Britain's oldest specialist music conservatoire — offered him a place. It was there that Tom built lasting friendships with some of London's finest young musicians, including drummer Jack Thomas, who remains a cornerstone of his band today. The Purcell years refined him; but nothing quite captured the full measure of his ability like what came next.

Word of Tom's talent had reached Jools Holland, and he was invited to perform with the legendary Rhythm & Blues Orchestra — while still a Purcell student. One evening, having told his teachers he was otherwise engaged, Tom slipped out and made his way to Watford Colosseum to play with one of Britain's greatest musical institutions. He walked onto the stage, delivered a commanding performance — and looked up to find the entire Purcell faculty seated in the front row. They gave him a standing ovation. Tom is quick to acknowledge the debt he owes Jools: playing in a working big band of that calibre, alongside artists of the stature of Ruby Turner, Marc Almond and The Selecter, shaped his understanding of music in a way no institution alone could.

Tom subsequently graduated with honours from the Royal Academy of Music, London — completing a journey from the stages of Chicago and Tokyo to one of the world's most prestigious conservatoires, without ever losing the raw vitality that makes him such a compelling performer.

The live milestones have been remarkable. In 2018, Tom performed two consecutive nights at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club alongside his father and an extraordinary cast of special guests: Ronnie Wood, Imelda May, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp. On the eve of his twenty-first birthday, he played a private party for the legendary director and comedian Peter Richardson — with Jeff Beck as the evening's special guest. At midnight, Peter and Jeff presented Tom with a magnum of champagne and sang Happy Birthday. When asked how he felt, Tom announced he wanted to play the drums, sat behind the kit, and launched into Honky Tonk Women. Jeff Beck — hearing it — turned around, broke into a grin, and ran straight back to his guitar. Tom Waters' twenty-first birthday began by playing drums for Jeff Beck. Few musicians in history can say the same.

Since then, the credits have only grown. Tom has recorded with The Rolling Stones, appeared on two of Ronnie Wood's albums, recorded with Sir Ray Davies, and shared stages with Mick Hucknall, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Sam Fender and many more. His debut album Blowin' Up, recorded with his band Electric People and featuring Jools Holland, announced him as a fully formed artist of serious ambition. At twenty-five, Tom Waters is not emerging — he has already arrived.

Pure evil on the horn

Tom Waters doesn't just play the saxophone — he ignites it, blending the soul of blues with the fire of rock 'n' roll to create a sound that's as timeless as it is explosive.

Catch Tom Live

Tom tours extensively across the UK and internationally. Check the events page for all upcoming gigs and ticket links.

Bring Tom to Your Event

From intimate private events to major festival stages — Tom brings electrifying saxophone performance across blues, jazz, funk and R&B. A Royal Academy graduate with world-class experience, he delivers every time.

info@rockandrollevents.co.uk